Winter 2010-2011Orientation Packet

www.StudyCLI.org

Welcome to CLI's Winter Immersion Program! As a supplemental

guide to life in Guilin, the CLI Team has compiled this comprehensive

orientation packet for your living and traveling needs. In addition to

language learning suggestions, safety tips, currency exchange

details and postal service information, you will find a long list of

CLI's various recommended destinations within and around Guilin.

Please do not hesitate to call one of our team members at any time

day or night if you have questions, concerns or translation issues.

Money

Postal Services

China is home to various banking networks, including the Industrial Bank of China (ICBC), the Chinese Construction Bank, and the Bank of China. ATMs at any of these banks accept major international cards and are generally safe to use, although ATM service at the Bank of China tends to be the most reliable. Many ATMs offer 24-hour service, so you needn't worry if you find yourself without cash on hand after the sun has set.

If you need to exchange currency or travelers' checks for RMB, bring your foreign currency and passport to any major bank in China to complete this transaction. There should be no service charge.

CLI's staff does not recommend sending any expensive or valuable items to the U.S. through the Chinese postal service, as it can be unreliable and is generally expensive. If you'd like to send a postcard, the CLI Team can help you bring it to a postal office (youju). There's no guarantee that your mail will arrive at its destination, but you're free to try it out!

General Information

Safety & SecurityChina is generally a safe country in which to study and sightsee. Nevertheless, any time you are traveling, you should always take necessary precautions to ensure your own personal safety.

*If you experience any kind of safety emergency, please do not hesitate to call a member of the CLI team so that we may assist you in any way possible. Should a serious crisis occur, call Bradford immediately at 136-5963-0195.*

Recommended Safety Tips:– Keep all of your belongings in sight and be mindful of them. Hold small

personal bags close to your body, and keep them closed if possible. Pick pocketing is not a major problem in China, but it does happen from time to time.

– If you know that you're going to be consuming alcohol, be responsible. Don't accept beverages from strangers, and don't leave your drink unattended. Stay with the other members of your group, and make sure not to leave anyone behind at the end of the night. Take extra caution in getting home safely.

– In China, violent street crime and predatory behavior are rare occurrences - but that doesn't mean that you should let your inhibitions down. Try your best to remain aware of your surroundings at all times. Travel in pairs or in groups. If a stranger makes you feel uncomfortable or in any way threatens you, immediately change your course of action (head into a store or hop in a taxi, for example).

General Information (cont.)

Safety & Security

Medical Services

Recommended Safety Tips (cont.):–

important to remember what your mother always told you: make sure you look both ways before you step out into the street. Cars rarely obey traffic signals in China and motorcycles, electric scooters, bicycles and other pedestrians create additional safety hazards. Especially in Guilin, traffic patterns are probably nothing like what you were used to back home so, keep your eyes and ears open for oncoming vehicles. Proceed with caution, as there is a definite possibility that some drivers may not be paying much attention to the road or to you.

If you find yourself in need of medical attention, please notify a member of CLI's on-site team as soon as possible. CLI emergency assistance is available around the clock, so don't hesitate to call at any time if you need to see a medical doctor.

Should you catch a minor illness such as a seasonal cold or upset stomach, CLI' staff is available to assist you in purchasing over-the-counter medicine at a local pharmacy. Let a CLI employee know that you're in need of medication, and we will be more than happy to help you find exactly what you need.

If you'd prefer to head to the pharmacy yourself, you're likely to encounter one if you just head outside and keep your eyes open. But as always, give any of our local team members a call and we will assist you right away.

*China’s 24-hour emergency number is 119, but if you contract a serious illness or sustain a significant injury, please call Bradford immediately at 136-5963-0195.*

Crossing the road safely in China presents a challenge of its own. Here, it's

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard

SightseeingGuilin is famous for its mountainous landscape and rich heritage, and therefore offers a wide array of hiking opportunities and historically significant sites.– At (伏 波 山 , Fubo Shan;

admission 15 yuan, 7am - 6pm), you can witness firsthand Buddhist carvings from the Song and Tang dynasties, located in the Returned Pearl Cave (Huanzhu Dong).

– The 152-meter (独秀峰, Duxiu Feng; admission 15 yuan, 7:30am - 6pm) is accessible by buses 1 and 2, and offers an outstanding view of Guilin. The entrance fee also includes admission to Wang Cheng, a wealthy Ming-dynasty estate that now houses one of GXNU's primary campuses.

Wave-Subduing Hill

Solitary Beauty Peak

Quick Facts

1.34 million

The Li River area was first

settled in 314 BC. In 1981,

Guilin was listed by the

State Council as one of four

cities (including Beijing,

H a n g z h o u a n d S u z h o u )

where the protection of

h i s t o r i c a l a n d c u l t u ra l

heritage, as well as natural

scenery, should be treated

as a priority project.

Forest of Sweet Osmanthus

桂林

Total Population:

Location:

History:

Meaning of “Guilin”:

Southern China, in the

Guangxi Province. Roughly

equal in latitude to Key

West, Florida.

Living in Guilin

Sightseeing (cont.) (芦笛岩, Ludi Yan; admission 60 yuan, 7:30am - 6pm) features

a multicolored array of stalactites and stalagmites. The cave was once visited by former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and can be accessed by buses 3 and 58.

(七星公园, Qixing Gongyuan; admission 35 yuan, Seven Star Cave 30 yuan, park 6am - 9:30pm, caves 8am - 5:30pm) is a fabulous place to admire Guilin's natural landscape and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. There are numerous caves and mountains to explore, as well as open areas for enjoying games and lunch. Seven Star Park can be accessed via buses 10 and 11; additionally, you can take bus 58 from the park to Folded Brocade Hill, Reed Flute Cave, and Wave Subduing Hill.

– The (日月双塔, Riyue Shuang Ta; admission 30 yuan, 8:30am - 10:30pm) are brilliantly lit after sunset, and are best viewed through an evening stroll around (杉湖, Shan Hu).

ShoppingAlthough Guilin's shopping scene isn't as extensive as Shanghai and Hong Kong, there are nonetheless many opportunities to pick up quality souvenirs, local handicrafts, and fashion items. You can expect to pay substantially less in Guilin than you would in other, major Chinese cities - so unless you've got money to burn, load up on your gift purchases before you head off to Shanghai and Beijing.

- every night, street vendors set up shop along Zhongshan Zhonglu, where they mostly sell souvenirs, assorted knickknacks, and local artwork. You'll have to haggle with the salespeople to score good prices on the things you want (a good start point is 25% of the original price that you hear), but the effort is worth it; there are many fine items to be bought here, and the market offers a real taste of Guilin's nighttime economy at work.

(微笑堂 ) - if you're looking for upscale international and Chinese fashion, Niko Niko Do has got it. Opened by Japanese developers, this shopping center is modern, chic, and one of the pricier places in town.

- located in one of Guilin's few remaining farming enclaves, the Sunday market is essentially tourist-free and offers a one-of-a-kind place to witness the city's locals in action. Displaying Chinese medicine and assorted ornaments of all varieties, the Sunday market offers a remarkably genuine display of the "real" China.

–

– Seven Star Park

Sun and Moon Pagodas

Shan Lake

Red Tent Market

Niko Niko Do

Sunday Market

Reed Flute Cave

Guilin Cuisine(大四川火锅城) - within walking distance of Elephant Trunk

Hill (象 鼻 山 , Xiangbi Shan), Sichuan Hotpot offers the most authentic Sichuan hotpot experience in Guilin. While not cheap, Sichuan Hotpot is moderately priced and offers a wide range of menu options.

–Our Recommendation: 四川火锅 (Sichuan Huoguo)–Price per person: 40-60 RMB–Directions: 南环路3号，在西门桥和中山路的中间 (downtown)–Phone: 0773-283-3030

(兰州拉面) - for a taste of China’s northwestern cuisine,

head to Lanzhou Muslim Noodle. Located near GXNU, the restaurant's dishes are unique and inexpensive. Lanzhou Muslim Noodle incorporates strong spices and flavors to offer a truly different face of Chinese cooking.

–Our Recommendation: Lamb with Veggies on a Bed of Rice (羊肉孜然饭,Yangrou Ziranfan)

–Price per person: 7-12 RMB–Directions: 在师大后门旁边 (near the back gate of GXNU)

(丽舍咖啡) - if you’re homesick for some good old Western

food, Gourmet Coffee Cafe serves up some of the best spaghetti in Guilin. Owned by a Taiwanese man who lived in New York City for over 20 years, Gourmet Coffee Cafe has a downtown riverfront location and sells great coffee, tea, and desserts.

–Our Recommendation: Italian Spaghetti (意大利面, Yidali Mian).–Price per person: 30-40 RMB–Directions: 在百度酒吧旁边 (just over Liberation Bridge on the downtown

side, next to Baidu Bar)–Phone: 0773-2106880

Sichuan Hotpot City

Lanzhou Muslim Noodle

Gourmet Coffee Café

Local Guilin Hotpot

Korean Restaurant

GXNU South Gate

Li River Congee

(北来顺火锅) - there are many local Guilin Hotpot restaurants, but this one offers a particularly delicious local dining experience. The restaurant's prices are low and its portions are large; the staff are friendly and helpful, but don't expect to be impressed by the restaurant's decor.Our Recommendation: Lamb Hot Pot (羊肉火锅, Yangrou Huoguo)

–Price per person: 25-35 RMB–Directions: 在长城花园的中国银行对面 (in between the big gate of GXNU

and the Sanlidian traffic circle, directly across the street from a Bank of China)–Phone: 0773-218-8066

(韩国饭馆) - located in the heart of Wenhua Jie (文化街), the Korean Restaurant is founded and managed by a Korean woman who married a Guilin local. Their specialty dish "Korean Claypot Rice," served with traditional Korean seasoning. They also offer some of the most tasty and well-priced sushi in town. This restaurant delivers to all CLI apartments.

–Our Recommendation: Korean Clay Pot Rice (石锅饭, Shiguofan)–Price per person: 8-12 RMB–Directions: 你如果从师大南门走，它在文化街中间的左边 (if walking

from the GXNU South Gate, it's a little more than halfway down Wenhua Jie onyour left)

–Phone: 130-3683-8318

(师大南门) - the South Gate of GXNU is a fantastic place both to eat and to practice your Chinese. From steamed stuffed buns to egg pancakes, rice noodles, stir-fry, and milk tea, the South Gate has countless options for meals and snacks. Everything here is inexpensive and full of flavor.

–Our Recommendation: Guilin Rice Noodles (桂林米粉, Guilin Mifen)–Price per person: 2-7 RMB–Directions: When you exit GXNU's south gate on foot, simply turn left and

you will find many street vendors, rice noodle restaurants, stir-fryers and thelikes

(桂林周城) - for some late night southern Cuisine, head to the Li River Congee Restaurant, open 24-hours a day. With a great atmosphere and even better food, the Li River Congee restaurant offers some of the best food in town.

–Price per person: 25-40 RMB–Directions: 杉湖北路3号，在大瀑布酒店旁边 (downtown right next to the

Waterfall Hotel)–Phone: 0773-282-8172

跋山涉水

Nightlife (翡翠酒吧) - run by a European expatriate, Le Feitz is a small bar and club

that is popular among Guilin's foreign crowd. While the drinks are slightly expensive, the music is upbeat and the menu is full of choices. Directions: 桂林市翡翠路大学生公寓成1-8 (near the back gate of GXNU)Phone: 137-3773-4082

(绝色酒吧) - for a Chinese nightlife experience, Joy's Club is a popular and crowded spot to enjoy a few drinks, listen to music, and play dice. Recently renovated, Joy's is a hot spot for Chinese locals and is home to the crowded masses every weekend.Directions: 文化宫展览中心1楼被侧 (downtown near the Walking Mall)Phone: 0773-283-1111

(毛 兔 ) - arguably the coolest bar in town, Cats and Rabbits is enjoyed by both Chinese and expatriates alike. Owned and managed by English-speaking Chinese, Cats and Rabbits plays everything from lounge and reggae tunes to punk, hip-hop and alternative rock.Directions: 东华路9-11号 (中华路口靠王成状元及第门[东华门]，江南卷口上) (near the downtown GXNU campus just outside the old city wall)Phone: 134-576-61991

Internet AccessMany Western cafes in Guilin have free wi-fi access, including the (Xia'er Kafei; located on 66 Binjiang Lu; 10am - midnight) and the (Zheli; located on 18 Binjiang Lu; 10am - midnight). If you didn't bring your personal computer or would prefer a more typical Chinese experience, go ahead and check out one of Guilin's internet cafes. They’re scattered throughout the city, and you're likely to bump into quite a few of them during your stay. If you can't seem to find one that suits you, head to the (Wenchang Wangba; located on Wenming Lu; 1.50 yuan per hour).

Le Feitz

Joy's Club

Cats and Rabbits

Shire HobbitanLittle Italian

Wenchang Internet Café

“A mind that is stretched by new experiences can never go back to its old dimensions.” – Oliver Wendall Holmes

Special Considerations Foreigners are a common site in Beijing and

Shanghai, but for many people in Guilin and especially the Guilin countryside, you may be the first foreigner they have ever interacted with. Expect occasional staring and calls of “Hello!” The stares and greetings from strangers are innocent and not done in malice; people are truly curious and once they discover you speak Chinese, you will have a new best friend.

According to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), in an effort to prevent pornography and anti-government activity, the Chinese government blocks access to numerous Web sites. Facebook, YouTube, Blogspot, Twitter, and other social networking/blogging sites are among those that you cannot access without a VPN. Additionally, major social and political advocacy sites, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, are blocked. Many foreigners (and some locals) use a VPN to get around the firewall. Some, such as www.torproject.org, can be downloaded for free, but these are not as reliable as paid networks. Witopia (www.witpoia.net) offers an excellent VPN for US$60, securing your privacy and providing you with (relatively) uninterrupted Internet access.

Curiosity toward foreigners:

The Great Firewall:

Special Considerations (cont.) It's somewhat common for people to mislead you rather than say

they don’t know the answer to your question. Therefore, just because someone tells you a specific product is not in stock or a food item does not have particular ingredients does not mean this is necessarily so. It’s always a good idea to either be persistent or trust your instinct and ask for a second opinion.

There is still a daily, city-wide rest time from noon to 2:30pm. GXNU and most government offices close within this window, and it is therefore sometimes difficult to accomplish tasks requiring cooperation with locals during this time.

Since parts of Guilin heavily cater to tourism and have countless visitors each year, vendors and cab drivers sometimes try to take advantage of foreigners by overcharging them for items and services. However, once they hear that you speak even the most basic Chinese, they will be much more willing to negotiate with you and will accordingly lower their prices. Almost all goods and services can be bargained for. In most bustling markets, expect to pay 25% to 30% less than the asking price for the majority of items, and in more touristy areas, the price could drop well over half.

Most foreigners living in Guilin teach English. The other choices are to find work with a local company in need of a foreign staff member, be savvy enough to find an online job with an international company, or start your own business. If you’re interested in working while at CLI, simply ask one of our program leaders for more information.

Misinformation:

Daily nap time:

Haggling/special foreigner prices:

Work opportunities:

Utilizing CLI’s Language Environment

In order to make the most of your time studying with CLI, it’s important to constantly be pro-active and to consistently seek new opportunities to advance your Chinese. Self study, conversing with cab drivers, chatting with street vendors, shopping with local friends – there are countless ways to improve and validate your Mandarin language skills. Below are a few suggestions on how to best utilize CLI’s language environment:

ö Do not undervalue the importance of pinyin (拼音). Once you can make all of the sounds you can essentially say any word in Chinese. Concentrate on hearing and saying the slight variations between sounds. For the first few weeks nearly every one-on-one lesson will incorporate pinyin exercises.

ö Whether you are living with a local family in a homestay, with Chinese roommates in integrated housing, in a GXNU dorm room or a private apartment, you will have unlimited opportunities to speak Chinese. Take the initiative to speak with those around you every day. Become friends with the local shop-owners. Ask the police questions. Talk to waiters and waitresses during meals. These people are your teachers too. You will be amazed at the hospitality Guilin has to offer.

Make sure you know all 58 pinyin sounds:

Speak (and think in) Chinese, regardless of your Chinese level:

ö

because they love Chinese, love sharing their language, and love that you want to learn Chinese. Let them know if you don’t understand something. Be an active learner. You have chosen a one-on-one learning environment because, like us, you also realize it is the most efficient way to learn a foreign language. Don’t forget that one-on-one needs two people in order for it to be successful.

ö Let your teachers know if they are going too fast or too slow. Tell them if you want to spend more time on grammar and less time on tones, or more time on pronunciation and less time on characters.

ö Southern hospitality abounds in the Guangxi Province. Have the courage to ask local residents questions, to start a conversation with a stranger at the bus stop and to sit down with a shop clerk to talk business. When it comes to spoken Chinese, there is no better way to improve than to simply speak.

ö CLI puts a great deal of emphasis on creating a community conducive to Chinese language learning. We maintain a two-to-one ratio of local team members to international language students, so do your best to embrace your team of educators. Our homestay families, Chinese student-roommates, language instructors, local managers and network of friends are all here to guide you on your path to proficiency – be sure to engage!

Ask your teachers endless questions:

Keep your teachers informed:

Make the most of Guilin:

Engage with the CLI community:

All of the teachers at CLI are here

Utilizing CLI’s Language Environment (cont.)

“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.” – Dr. Seuss

Our core mission at CLI is to provide students with the most

comprehensive path available toward full Chinese proficiency.

This concept is not just limited to language fluency. We

addit ional ly str ive to equip our students with a deep

understanding of China’s d iverse culture and a strong

comprehens ion of i t s complex economic and po l i t i ca l

environment. China is among the most fascinating civilizations in

human history, and its importance only grows. We welcome you

to reach full proficiency in Chinese language and culture with CLI!

24-Hour AssistanceThroughout the duration of your stay with CLI, please do not hesitate to call one of our team members at any time day or night if you have questions, concerns or translation issues.

Molin (莫琳) 139-7738-4687Echo (詹雪宁) 139-7830-6934Avril (高丽萍) 130-8673-1993

Welcome to CLI’s Winter Immersion Program!

W: www.StudyCLI.org | E: info@studycli.org | USA: (888) 781.8383 | PRC: (+86) 137.8858.7005